When were rats introduced to Australia?

Answer 1

The introduced Black Rat probably entered Australia accidentally when the First Fleet unloaded cargo in Sydney Cove. It is quite possible that it even arrived with the Macassan traders several hundred years earlier. It has since spread throughout Australia, particularly in the south of the continent.

However, Australia does have its own native rats. The Bush rat (Rattus fuscipes) has a more pointed head and larger and more rounded ears than the common black or brown rat. It lives in bushland and heath rather than urban areas, preferring to live in the dense forest understorey. It shelters in shallow burrows under logs or rocks. In addition, there are more species of native rat in the Kimberley region.

There is also the Australian water-rat, which is quite different to other rats as it is much larger, has partially webbed hind feet, and dense waterproof fur for which it was once hunted.

Answer 2

When people think of rats, they think of the unclean rodents which inhabit buildings and rubbish dumps in urban areas. Most rats in Australia are not native, having arrived on the various European ships that came to Australia from 1788 on.

However, Australia does have its own native rats. The Bush rat (Rattus fuscipes) has a more pointed head and larger and more rounded ears than the common black or brown rat. It lives in bushland and heath rather than urban areas, preferring to live in the dense forest understorey. It shelters in shallow burrows under logs or rocks. In addition, there are more species of native rat in the Kimberley region.

There is also the Australian water-rat, which is quite different to other rats as it is much larger, has partially webbed hind feet, and dense waterproof fur for which it was once hunted.

Answer 3

Non-native mice arrived in Australia with the First Fleet. There were numerous rats and mice on board, which survived the long voyage, and ruined some of the grain brought over for food and seed.

Answer 4

When people think of rats, they think of the unclean rodents which inhabit buildings and rubbish dumps in urban areas. Most rats in Australia are not native, having arrived on the various European ships that came to Australia from 1788 on, or possibly with Macassan traders of several hundred years earlier.

However, Australia does have its own native rats. The Bush rat (Rattus fuscipes) has a more pointed head and larger and more rounded ears than the common black or brown rat. It lives in bushland and heath rather than urban areas, preferring to live in the dense forest understorey. It shelters in shallow burrows under logs or rocks. In addition, there are more species of native rat in the Kimberley region.

There is also the Australian water-rat, which is quite different to other rats as it is much larger, has partially webbed hind feet, and dense waterproof fur for which it was once hunted.

Answer 5

Rats are known to have come on the ships of the First Fleet in 1788.

It is quite possible they first arrived when the Macassans used to visit northern Australia's Coastlines, as this is believed to have been when cats were first introduced to the country.

However, Australia does have its own native rats. The Bush rat (Rattus fuscipes) has a more pointed head and larger and more rounded ears than the common black or brown rat. It lives in bushland and heath rather than urban areas, preferring to live in the dense forest understorey. It shelters in shallow burrows under logs or rocks. In addition, there are more species of native rat in the Kimberley region.

There is also the Australian water-rat, which is quite different to other rats as it is much larger, has partially webbed hind feet, and dense waterproof fur for which it was once hunted.